Kansas City Chiefs 2017 draft class largely remains a mystery

Leon McQuay, USC, DB

Round selected: 6th

What we learned in 2017: Very little. McQuay came in to the Chiefs as a hybrid player in the secondary, a team leader that USC used outside and inside, at nickel corner and free safety. He also had plenty of experience, so it was a little bit surprising that he ended the year with only 46 defensive snaps and even less so on special teams (18 snaps).

While you might shrug at those numbers given that he was a sixth round rookie, the reality is that the Chiefs were self-admittedly searching for answers anywhere and everywhere in the secondary last year with so many injuries and no one stepping up across from Marcus Peters. Guys like Kenny Acker and Phillip Gaines were given multiple chances to start outside, so it’s a bit curious that McQuay couldn’t at least carve out some more reps.

What to expect moving forward: McQuay has a real shot at some playing time if he can claim it given the lack of dependable bodies in the secondary. Eric Berry is back, but the team has released Ron Parker and watched a total of seven defensive backs leave this offseason—a list that includes Acker, Gaines, Steven Terrell, Darrelle Revis, Terrance Mitchell, and Marcus Peters.

McQuay came into the NFL noted for his versatility and intelligence, so maybe he’s picked up enough of the defense for the Chiefs to consider him as a fill-in for one of those guys as they remake sub package formations. Then again, it could be another season flirting with the practice squad.